I like as well to agree you, to hope they do putting a RESPECK on d Jerry West name; d guy was soooo top legend, was even chose for a MVP in d finals when is side did lost ! but his play so good was select for MVP! In d program they make him looks like a just a mad tosser, a just yelling guy who it’s always so mad everyone
Concerning All-NBA, last year Embiid had more points then Kawhi, but Kawhi was a 1st team forward and Embiid 2nd team center. So for putting the teams together, there seems to be another wrinkle.
I know I'm a little late but I saw the first episode. Number one, Jerry West. I agree with all Marc's points. He was (is) a tortured soul but a great and dignified man. He was a beloved teammate who was very welcoming to African American teammates in the early '60's when it was not so easy. When we did a podcast wit him when Elgin Baylor was ailing, he was so emotional about his friend. That ain't the guy I saw in episode #1. He is incredibly self reflective and humble. I did chuckle when they did the bit with the logo and animated it into a rage filled parody. And while I'm sure the 1969 Finals were incredibly painful, three years layer his 69-13 Lakers won it all ... including a 33 game winning streak. One of the 3-4 greatest teams in NBA history. They could have shown that.
Thanks Marc for pointing to the pile of dogs*** the show displayed.
Problem is, in today’s world history of any kind is learned by many only through movies, tv shows and fictional books, so every lie is a little piece in the building of a history full of fake news and blatant mistakes.
That’s why “we” (as a society) must ask for “realism” in those kind of things, but I know this is an issue only for old geezer like me, born in another century...
I heard an interview with someone who worked on the show that they made the decision not to talk to any of the real people. Given how often we get sanitized approved biographies now, I am not unhappy they wanted to avoid that, but surely there was a way to talk to the principals and not end up with inaccurate portrayals. In the end, I am not sure you can win with docudrama. It's either hagiographic or iconoclastic, and never the actual truth.
Appreciate you setting the record straight on Jerry West, from someone who covered him during his Laker days. Seeing him portrayed as the villain in episode 1 hits a sore spot for me, as a fan, because it’s a stark reminder that he no longer is with our team, and we’d be sooooo much better with him in the organization. Alas…
I did find it comical that you brought up how you used to refer to him as ‘Jerry Stressed,’ given the conversation today about Russell Westbrook chafing at the ‘Westbrick’ nickname that certain media members and social media fans throw at him and his family.
Definitely shows no one is immune to having their names changed to punny nicknames that may refer to an unfavorable character trait. Back then, though “Jerry Stressed” did not draw even one batted eye, whereas now, that nickname would have gone viral in today’s social media climate.
I enjoyed the pilot episode as a TV fan mostly, as I found it entertaining. But, I get why anyone might be annoyed by this “artistic license,” if you know the real person. For that reason, I usually am against watching biopics, in general, because someone inherently (and often unnecessarily) becomes a villain to accentuate the protagonist (in this case, Buss) of the story.
I do think, though, there is the ability for people like me to be able to separate the truth from the entertainment and still appreciate both. Hope there are others more like me who feel similarly.
Are we going to see a followup post to this after the season is done? Can't judge a show by its pilot.
I like as well to agree you, to hope they do putting a RESPECK on d Jerry West name; d guy was soooo top legend, was even chose for a MVP in d finals when is side did lost ! but his play so good was select for MVP! In d program they make him looks like a just a mad tosser, a just yelling guy who it’s always so mad everyone
Concerning All-NBA, last year Embiid had more points then Kawhi, but Kawhi was a 1st team forward and Embiid 2nd team center. So for putting the teams together, there seems to be another wrinkle.
Idea for the complementary Substack: Stein’s Premier League Takes.
If I remember correctly, you are also a fan of the Premier League. Maybe you could share some stories.
I know I'm a little late but I saw the first episode. Number one, Jerry West. I agree with all Marc's points. He was (is) a tortured soul but a great and dignified man. He was a beloved teammate who was very welcoming to African American teammates in the early '60's when it was not so easy. When we did a podcast wit him when Elgin Baylor was ailing, he was so emotional about his friend. That ain't the guy I saw in episode #1. He is incredibly self reflective and humble. I did chuckle when they did the bit with the logo and animated it into a rage filled parody. And while I'm sure the 1969 Finals were incredibly painful, three years layer his 69-13 Lakers won it all ... including a 33 game winning streak. One of the 3-4 greatest teams in NBA history. They could have shown that.
Thanks Marc for pointing to the pile of dogs*** the show displayed.
Problem is, in today’s world history of any kind is learned by many only through movies, tv shows and fictional books, so every lie is a little piece in the building of a history full of fake news and blatant mistakes.
That’s why “we” (as a society) must ask for “realism” in those kind of things, but I know this is an issue only for old geezer like me, born in another century...
P.S. the new app is a blast.
Great stuff Re Winning Time and West.
Someday I’d love to read your own memoir of the years you covered the Lakers.
I heard an interview with someone who worked on the show that they made the decision not to talk to any of the real people. Given how often we get sanitized approved biographies now, I am not unhappy they wanted to avoid that, but surely there was a way to talk to the principals and not end up with inaccurate portrayals. In the end, I am not sure you can win with docudrama. It's either hagiographic or iconoclastic, and never the actual truth.
Appreciate you setting the record straight on Jerry West, from someone who covered him during his Laker days. Seeing him portrayed as the villain in episode 1 hits a sore spot for me, as a fan, because it’s a stark reminder that he no longer is with our team, and we’d be sooooo much better with him in the organization. Alas…
I did find it comical that you brought up how you used to refer to him as ‘Jerry Stressed,’ given the conversation today about Russell Westbrook chafing at the ‘Westbrick’ nickname that certain media members and social media fans throw at him and his family.
Definitely shows no one is immune to having their names changed to punny nicknames that may refer to an unfavorable character trait. Back then, though “Jerry Stressed” did not draw even one batted eye, whereas now, that nickname would have gone viral in today’s social media climate.
I enjoyed the pilot episode as a TV fan mostly, as I found it entertaining. But, I get why anyone might be annoyed by this “artistic license,” if you know the real person. For that reason, I usually am against watching biopics, in general, because someone inherently (and often unnecessarily) becomes a villain to accentuate the protagonist (in this case, Buss) of the story.
I do think, though, there is the ability for people like me to be able to separate the truth from the entertainment and still appreciate both. Hope there are others more like me who feel similarly.
Looking forward to episode 2!
Who would you vote for if you got to for First Team All NBA?